Climbing technique: what to do with your arms?

[michael01612]

Hi,

I was reading in Bicycling Magazine something about climbing technique...and it sort of surfaced a lot of questions I have had about climbing technique. The article said (paraphrasing) ...that when you push down with your left leg you simultaneously pull up with your left arm.

One, is that correct? And if so, what is your right arm doing when you are pushing down with your left leg?

Then I have a bunch of questions about climbing technique...such as: where is your center of gravity...ie, is your butt over the seat directly as if you could sit down on it? Or are you slightly in front of the seat, with the point of the seat hitting the back of your hamstrings? How much weight is in your arms?

There are probably no absolutes here....but I will gratefully listen to any advice on climbing technique...in particular to positioning of your body, and what your arms are doing while climbing.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[frenchyge]

One, is that correct?

Yes. That stabilizes the bike, reducing the degree of rocking and increasing the net downward force of the left leg. Practice doing the same thing while sprinting and watch your sprint improve.

And if so, what is your right arm doing when you are pushing down with your left leg?

With practice, relaxing and just keeping the body position stable over the bike.

Then I have a bunch of questions about climbing technique...such as: where is your center of gravity...ie, is your butt over the seat directly as if you could sit down on it? Or are you slightly in front of the seat, with the point of the seat hitting the back of your hamstrings?

For me, seat touching the hamstrings. Any further back and your legs will interfere with the slight natural side-to-side motion of the seat. Any further forward will effectively shorten the downstroke and reduce power.

How much weight is in your arms?

Ideally none, as that uses extra energy and reduces the downward force being applied to the pedals. The point of pulling up on the bars on the same side as the foot is pushing down is so that you can actually apply *more* than your total body weight to the downstroke. Supporting the body on the arms will cost you big time vs. climbing seated.

Note that all this only applies to climbing out of the saddle, and in the majority of cases I believe climbing seated will be more effective unless you really have somewhere to go in a hurry (ie, attacking or responding) or are overgeared for the climb. For climbing seated, I'd recommend a relaxed upper body with as little weight on the bars as possible.

 

[Packeteer]

For me i keep my hands open when climbing. I hold my hands like i am holding a brandy glass. Fingers open with thumbs either wrapped around the hoods or pointing forward with the hoods. I find this position helps me relax my upper body more. I am not grabbing onto hardly at all, i am not wasting energy on my hand grip.

I loosen up my shoulders, neck, back, face. I find that when i am climbing so intense that i start to make faces or lose my focus and tense my upper body it means i am doomed to blow up.

I also tent to focus more on my upper body as far as my concentration goes. The legs are usually burning a bit so i focus on maintaining relaxation everywhere else, i think my my arm movement as if i was rowing a boat up the hill.

 

[topdogcycling]

when you push down with your left leg you simultaneously pull up with your left arm.

One, is that correct?

It depends, it works for some but not for others. I, for example, was taught this technique as a kid in the 80s by guys who raced in the 70-60s who, in turn, learned it from guys who raced in the 50s and so on. My point being, this is something you would most likely to do naturally, without actually being taught, it sort of makes sense. But with the coming of Bernard Hinault on the scene, a lot of things changed, including climbing techniques.

He was perhaps one of the first ones who started using a technique described by Packeteer, that is, saving energy is more important than gaining very insignificant advantage in application of power (per the technique you describe) more efficiently. What's a point of being slightly more efficient in power application if you're going to run out of puff in the middle of a climb?

Having said that, steep climbs you simply cannot handle with your arms being relaxed, you would be forced to use them.

I think you would do well if you try Hinault's technique on more than one climb. It's not easy at first and feels weird but as with a lot of things in life, eventually you'll get used to it and then you can compare what works for you.

is your butt over the seat directly as if you could sit down on it?

Most of the time, yes. That is, when you go "tempo", found your rhythm and pedaling along a happy puppy. However, when things get tough...

Or are you slightly in front of the seat, with the point of the seat hitting the back of your hamstrings?

you begin to move forward like in a TT. Not all guys do that though, some stay put no matter how much pressure is applied.

How much weight is in your arms?

Ideally, as already mentioned, you want to keep your arms as free as possible. There's only one tank of gas in your system, you need to be able to use it in your legs as much as possible.

 

[michael01612]

Thank you all for the advice. Now all I need is a warm sunny day to try some new climbing techniques. Thanks again.

Mike

 

[Packeteer]

Having said that, steep climbs you simply cannot handle with your arms being relaxed, you would be forced to use them.

I think you would do well if you try Hinault's technique on more than one climb. It's not easy at first and feels weird but as with a lot of things in life, eventually you'll get used to it and then you can compare what works for you.

The technique i use of course doesn't always work. When its time to drop the hammer you need to pull up on the bars and get some speed. For short hills around the city i usually grab the bars and pull, i try and basically sprint past the hill. The really relaxed position is what works best for me on a real mountain and it might not be best for you. I supose everyone's upper body is going to be differently efficient probably a lot based on what you do in your life with your upper body.

 

[big_fella_andy]

not sure what you'se class as a hill to climb, but, this is a hill near me.

http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=03012008056tb2.jpg

it's don't look that steep in gradient on here, but it is quite steep... and it's rather long...

it has an uneven surface with rutts down the middle of it at times, and is also quite gravely (when it's not covered in snow).

any tips for climbing this? it's probably quite easy for you guys i'de imagine but i don't do much uphill offroading, i tend to ride on roads more often .

 

[dosedependent]

Just be natural and don't rock from side to side too much. Focus on moving forward not to the side. Think of a cross country skier. Forward!





Dose Dependent


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